I've conducted over 500 job interviews, AMA

[Pete3000]

Anyone need interview advice?

Surprisingly enough, I don't work in HR but have managed to conduct over 500 interviews for people looking for employment over the past decade or two.

[KramericaInd]

got advice for you op

proofread

[Pete3000]

Ha! oops!

I've* not I'm...

I didn't say I'm offering writing tips.

[BraddlesMcGee]

Imma gonna conduct a job interview.

[DavidL913]

I'm conductor job interviewer 500

[KramericaInd]

anyway, when they drop the "tell me more about yourself" what should one say?

when theyre talking is it good to throw in a "ok. mhm. yea" occasionally to show youre paying attention

[imbored21]

are most people good or bad at interviews??

[rjones416]

what should we wear to interview?
does height matter?
aesthetics?
does balding matter?

[Blakliffy]

make direct eye contact when answering questions.

answer questions correctly.

show that you give a crap about the job.


profit.

[BrahmaDeej]

Anyone need interview advice?

Surprisingly enough, I don't work in HR but have managed to conduct over 500 interviews for people looking for employment over the past decade or two.

What makes you hire a certain person

[bigtuna99]

It's 2016, are interviewers still so anal about interviewees showing up in a suit and clean shaven face? Lets say for marketing, where you sit in an office and it's not face-to-face with customers. Would wearing a nice button down + blazer and a bit of facial stubble be acceptable nowadays for a job (interview) like that? Serious question.

[arthurkanishov]

any crazy stories?

[Pete3000]

anyway, when they drop the "tell me more about yourself" what should one say?

Most interviews will have 1-2 buffer questions. Keep the answer to this one short. If it were up to me, we'd never have these buffer questions, but they almost feel necessary to transition into more intense questions.

Include a quick professional accomplishment as well as extracurricular in this one. You'd be surprised how much people remember the fact that you played baseball in college or that you won a national award. Do not include anything that could be perceived as controversial, i.e. "I enjoy hunting."

[Pete3000]

are most people good or bad at interviews??

I would say most interviews are average to bad.

The biggest thing people don't do is actually answer the questions asked. If someone answers all the questions, I consider that a good interview. You'd be surprised how many people take the question and derail it. If you had to ask yourself "did I answer that one correctly," you probably didn't. I prefer people who ask me to repeat a question, especially if it has multiple parts, than someone who thinks they know what was asked and just spit out verbal diarrhea expecting the interviewer to extract the relevant components.

[Pete3000]

It's 2016, are interviewers still so anal about interviewees showing up in a suit and clean shaven face? Lets say for marketing, where you sit in an office and it's not face-to-face with customers. Would wearing a nice button down + blazer and a bit of facial stubble be acceptable nowadays for a job (interview) like that? Serious question.

Depends on the position applied, but yes, I would say generally appearance matters.

[Pete3000]

what should we wear to interview?
does height matter?
aesthetics?
does balding matter?

Dress professionally, always. If it's an office job, be in a full suit even if the dress code is more lax for the staff there.

I don't think aesthetics matter, but there are tons of studies done on interviews which show that height, baldness, looks, gender, etc all subconsciously impact the interviewer. Again, I don't think they're all that important.

[dontstopmirin]

I always freeze and panic when they ask me why Im fit for the job or those small questions, any advice

[CementPizza]

Why did you give over 500 blow jobs, op?

[RyanTFFK]

Would you rather someone be brag about their accomplishments or be humble and not talk much about them?

[Pete3000]

What makes you hire a certain person

I want someone who seems eager for the job, relevant skill set and independent.

If someone isn't qualified completely, I may take a chance on them if they've articulated:
1. A quick learning cure. "I may not know ____, but I am certain that within two months, I will be your most productive _____."
2. Ability to communicate. "Communication is probably the most important facet of every position. Sometimes we forget all the resources and people available to all of us to be able to accomplish the work quickly and efficiently."
3. Critical thinking. If someone isn't qualified, I want to see if they can problem solve. This is best handled by citing an example of a problem you solved for a previous employer. When you go into your example, make sure to break it down to a simplified or layman's version. You will quickly lose your interviewer if you're speaking in terms of an industry that may not be the one your currently interviewing for.

[Pete3000]

any crazy stories?

Someone I interviewed was so nervous for the job, she went to the bathroom to throw up. srs

[HomerJThompson]

Someone I interviewed was so nervous for the job, she went to the bathroom to throw up. srs

She lost the job right there?

[DanielGhita]

Job interviews are gay as f*ck.

[SmashR]

If someone came in under dressed but nails the interview, do you usually select them?

[Pete3000]

I always freeze and panic when they ask me why Im fit for the job or those small questions, any advice

i also hate that question and would never ask it. I feel like it almost never gets a memorable answer.

The way I would answer it is not to start talking about myself, but instead first cite goals of the company and reiterate why you could contribute or expand this vision. For example, if you're applying for a customer service job, say something like "Acme LLC prides itself on its exceptional customer service products. They have a proven track record of sales and growth." and then reiterate your time in customer service/sales.

[BtchW8]

how important is resume?

[HockeyBacon18]

most common questions asked and your perceived correct response to them?

aka when you ask someone if someone came in with a complaint how would you handle it? whats the correct response to this

[Pete3000]

Would you rather someone be brag about their accomplishments or be humble and not talk much about them?

You should discuss your accomplishments. If you feel you are bragging, then learn to soften your language. Bragging would not go too well.

Best way I feel one can discuss accomplishments and still be humble is to convince your listener of your accomplishment. The accomplishments are on your resume; no need to relist them all again in your interview. Instead take one or two and guide us through the process of how they were accomplished. This typically comes off more humble/real than someone just spouting out random wins they've had.

[Pete3000]

If someone came in under dressed but nails the interview, do you usually select them?

Of course. Content > Appearance. But why gamble something like that. I say it's always best to be well dressed.

But that's just me. This isn't always the case. My friends in finance would never make it through the interview without being distracted by your appearance.

[tepee007]

What do you like to see in a resume or cover letter? Anything specific?